Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino del Norte app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appLugo's Roman walls are the single most extraordinary thing you'll encounter on the Primitivo. They are the only complete Roman walls surviving anywhere in the world -- over 2 kilometers of continuous circuit, up to 15 meters tall in places, with 71 towers and 10 gates. If your feet can stand another walk, climb one of the staircases (there's one directly in front of the Cathedral) and follow the pedestrian path that runs along the top. The circuit takes about 30 minutes and gives you an elevated view of both the old town and the modern city beyond.
Inside the walls, the Cathedral of Santa Maria was begun in 1129 and took 150 years to build, mixing Romanesque and Gothic elements. The Chapel of the Virgen de los Ojos Grandes (Our Lady of the Big Eyes) is the emotional heart of the building -- the wide-eyed Romanesque virgin in her ornate Baroque chapel is one of the most beloved religious images in Galicia. The Baroque cloister, added centuries later, provides a quieter counterpoint.
The Praza do Campo and the adjacent streets form the commercial heart of the old town, full of bars, restaurants, and small shops. This being Galicia, pulpo dominates the menus -- Lugo takes its octopus seriously. The Termas Romanas, discovered during construction work, are a reminder that the Romans valued this spot for more than its defensive position.
The municipal albergue is just inside the wall, to the right of the gate where the camino enters.
There is a stretch of 10km west of Lugo without any services for pilgrims. Stock up before you leave.
During the last weeks of June, Lugo celebrates Arde Lucus (Burn Lugo). Residents dress in Roman costumes and the city relives its origins with processions, markets, and performances. The festival draws close to half a million people, so book accommodation well in advance if you're passing through. The Festa de San Froilan in October is the other major celebration -- Galicia's largest autumn festival, centered on food, music, and the saint who was bishop of Lugo in the 9th century.
The Romans established Lucus Augusti here in 13 BC, and the city's name may derive from Lugos (a Celtic god of light) or from the Latin lucus (sacred grove) -- scholars have argued both sides for centuries without resolution. The walls were built in the 3rd century AD, originally with 85 towers, and they have survived remarkably intact because the city never stopped using them. Medieval, Renaissance, and modern construction simply built up against and around them.
The walled city occupied a strategic position above three rivers -- the Mino, Rato, and Chanca -- and its prosperity lasted centuries before the city was largely abandoned in the 8th century. The slow revival that followed was fueled by the pilgrimage to Santiago, and by the Middle Ages, Lugo had regained its importance. Agriculture drove continued growth, and the city now extends far beyond anything the Romans envisioned.
The camino leaves the walled city at the gate opposite the Cathedral and proceeds downhill along the Rúa de Santiago. Halfway down the hill it bears right onto the Rúa Calzada da Ponte. It crosses a divided boulevard and descends all the way down to the río Miño.
The Ponte Romano carries you over the river and once on the other side, it turns right to follow along the river bank. After passing the Iglesia de San Lázaro it turns up to the left and follows the road to pass under the N-540. There is one more large intersection ahead and it is a simple matter of crossing straight over it. From here you will follow along the paved road, the LU-P-2901, all the way to San Román de Retorta.
Landmarks along the way include the Santuario de Santo Matías and the hamlets of Seoane de San Xoán do Alto 92.2 and Carrigueiros 90.7.
15. June 2026 - 19:46
Had the best meal
of the Camino here. Brilliant food, great value for money and lovely service. It’s very close to Albergue Nazaret.
6. June 2026 - 20:16
Expect other cast of characters to share your dormitory. There were some suspicious characters (not your typical peregrinos) that made me feel uncomfortable so I went to the public albergue, cheaper and nicer!! I won’t feel comfortable staying here if I was a woman.
11. April 2026 - 18:27
This is a newer hostel in the heart of Lugo with single beds, not bunks. Friendly staff, clean, great facilities. 686-319-503
7. October 2025 - 13:54
Well, for a hostel that purports to be religious and run by volunteers, this place is awful. At 7am on a rainy Sunday a volunteer plays cheery hymns the piano like a demented child to wake you up. You need to be out by 8am and if you are five minutes late, another volunteer will stand andshriek at you as you attempt to pack while some poor cleaner is instructed to pull the sheets off from under your pile of clothes.It had all the feels of a Magdalene laundry.
16. August 2025 - 18:28
Really difficult check-in, nowhere to put your backpack, 1 machine machine for over 100 beds (and 6€ to dry!), no lockers, painful steps to get up onto top bunk and both vending machines are non functional
27. April 2025 - 21:54
I took two rest days in Lugo and stayed at a very special boutique hotel (not very expensive, but a bit of a splurge). It’s beautifully decorated in an eclectic french, antique style and the breakfasts are sublime. If you feel like treating yourself, I highly recommend it. It’s just inside the walls near the cathedral.
13. July 2024 - 18:56
Great new small independent sports massage place - run by Rosa - it’s just outside the Roman wall opposite the cathedral gate. The name is Quirespa - it was 65 euros for 90 minutes and as a current offer you get 20% off which meant only 52!!
Your legs and back will thank you.
Brian & Tania
9. May 2024 - 22:10
Very nice stay. Our group had a private room and a room with 8 twin beds. Two of our group members came a day late and receptionist worked with us to not be charged even though we booked in advance through booking.com. Nice rooms, bathrooms, laundry and common area/ kitchen with large table. Very clean and perfect location for seeing the town and hiking the Camino.
28. September 2023 - 2:28
Nuevo hostel en Lugo muy limpio la cocina muy bien equipada el personal muy agradable sin duda muy recomendable
27. July 2023 - 21:04
Wonderful kitchenette, large aseos, and private bunks with sheets and towels!
I hit the jackpot taking a chance on a new albergue/pension in Lugo.
Staying here now and am still so stunned how nice it is and for less than other albergues in Lugo!
6. June 2023 - 19:01
We did not realize that there is no reception person, and therefore we could not have our bags transferred from this location. We did not originally plan on having luggage transfer.
20. May 2023 - 13:54
Cafe Centro, we wen in because we were hungry and mid- timed our meal time, Churros and chocolate at the end were great, the rest of the meal was very expensive, basic and the service extremely poor.
17. May 2023 - 23:09
Super friendly host, large clean, bright, fully Reno’s room. Excellent stay in central Lugo, steps to everything historic, cafes & shops.highly recommend
17. May 2023 - 7:09
Hostal Portón is incredible. Individual beds, modern bathrooms, laundry machine. Amazing shared spaces to hang out. Equipped kitchen. Very friendly owner who loves pilgrims. Loved our stay here.
3. November 2022 - 22:18
If you show your pilgrim credential you get a Cathedral tour via an audio guide for €4
Its interesting and also includes a museum
21. July 2021 - 21:49
Fourrooms Hostel
21. July 2021 - 21:49
Fourrooms Hostel
21. July 2021 - 21:47
I payed €20 for semi dorm bed. The check-in is high tech. You get a keycard! Hot showers with soap and a real towl. Everything is modern and new. So while very convennient it has to develop character. Still highly recommend.
18. July 2019 - 20:46
Restaurante Chino Shanghai
18. July 2019 - 20:45
If you at this point of your journey is in the mood for some other food, than the usual Spanish kind, then try the Chinese restaurant Resturante Chino Shanghai outside the old city.
It does look a bit sad and abandoned but the food is freshly made and really great!!!
Don’t miss out on the mixed vegetables. well. just don’t miss out on it!
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
